The restroom wasn't crowded, but someone was smoking in the public area, making the air thick and unpleasant.
Crystal Hughes furrowed her brow slightly and hurried out.
She didn't want to head straight back to the audience seats; instead, she was planning to get some fresh air elsewhere. However, as soon as she turned a corner, her distracted mind caused her to bump into a girl who was walking towards her.
It wasn't entirely her fault.
The girl was busy talking to her companion and didn't notice Crystal Hughes either. In the collision, she accidentally stepped on Crystal Hughes's foot.
Yet—
"Watch where you're going!"
The girl's sharp voice pierced her eardrums.
The decibel level was so high and the proximity so close that Crystal Hughes felt temporarily deafened, her mind buzzing.
The girl was a student, likely around the same age as those participating in the competition, but her makeup and clothing leaned towards maturity, making her look several years older than she was.
